Opinion

Michael Pettavel: 'My advice would always be to complain at the time of inspection'

Michael Pettavel gives his response to concerns raised by nurseries and childminders about some Ofsted inspectors' conflicts of interest
Michael Pettavel: 'Whenever I have felt the conduct of an inspector falls below the standard set in our school I raise it, loudly'
Michael Pettavel: 'Whenever I have felt the conduct of an inspector falls below the standard set in our school I raise it, loudly'

This isn’t something that I have had experience of, if this was the case I would raise a complaint. 

I have been inspected in one form or another around 15 or so times, possibly more (school inspections, children’s centre inspections, childcare inspections) and there is a difference between them, especially between childcare and school inspections (Nursery School).

The school inspections are more thorough, often go on for longer and focus more specifically on learning, teaching and safeguarding. Childcare inspections have tended to be much more focused on the statutory guidance and as a result can be more 'welfare' or health and safety focused. 

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